Apparatus for refrigeration of liquors



H. Bf. MILLET l 2,450,735

APPARATUS FCR REFRIGERTION OFLQUO'IS l Filed Sept. 3. 1947 f 2 Shanks-Sheet l lllllllfllllllllllllllIllllllllllllllllllll IIumlIII'II|"'NIHI'HWWHL' IIIIIQIV'IfI' @Il Mmm ff if J0 "JMW/ZM Dt. 5, 194., l H. B. MnLLET 5 2,450,735

. APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERTION OF LIQORS Filed sept. s., 1947 Y 2 sheets-sheet 2 koil accumulator andseparator l0.

Patented d." 5, 1948 APPARATUS FOR REFRIGETXON 0F LEQ'UORS ,Hylton B. Millet, New rleanalila.

` Application September 3, 1947, Serial No. 771,891

15 Claims. i

The present invention relates to the intense cooling and refrigerating of liquors such as bev-- erages and liquid chemicals, the beverages being exemplified by water, carbonated water, and beer, and the liquid chemicals being exemplified by gasoline, butane, oils, and similar compounds or compositions.

The invention will be described in connection with the accompanying 'drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a side viewof one form oi apparatus for carrying out the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the outer and inner container members;

Fig- 3 is a sectional view on line 3 3 of Fig. 2 with part of the top broken away; and

Fig. 4 is a modified form of the invention.

I-t is an object of the present invention to provide a practical, economical, and eiiicient cooler for liquids having beverages, chemical compounds or chemical solutions passing therethrough.

Another object of the invention is to provide an instantaneous cooler for liquors which comprises an outer container having a liquid refrigerant therein and an inner expansion chamber, an oil accumulator and separator chamber, thelatter being provided with a series of apertures adjacent the top thereof adapted to pass liquid or a mixture of liquid and gaseous refrigerant from the top of the outer container into the inner gas expansion and oil accumulator chamber when the liquid refrigerant expands or is converted intb a gas or vapor state.

Itis another object of the invention to provide a pick-up conduit in the inner container, said conduit extending into the oil accumulated on the bottom of the oil accumulator chamber, said conduit being separated under suction and delivering refrigerant gas and oil to the compressor.

It is an additional object of the present invention to providethe lower end of the pick-up conduit with an opening extending into the oil accumulated on the bottom of the oil accumulator chamber, the end of the conduit being provided. with means whereby at least a portion of the opening of the Ipick-up conduit always receivesV and delivers through the pick-up conduit gaseous refrigerant vapors carrying entrained oil.

Referring to the Figs. l and 2, the apparatus comprises an outer container i provided with a bottom wall 2, the top wall or plate 3 and a vertical wall d, saidtop platebeing provided with apertures 6, 1, 8, and 9. Carried by` the top plate 3 is an inner expansion chamber and a used The latter may lbe secured to the top plate '3 by any suit- 2 able means but preferably by welding at the periphery as indicated at Ii of Fig. 2. The plate 3 is secured to the top of the wall by-welding as at i2. The expansion member I0 is provided adjacent its top with apertures I3 for a 'purpose to be presently described. Surrounding the expension member I0 is the liquid cooling coil it comprising a number of turns ita, the liquid to be c'ooled being supplied through the liquid inlet conduit i5 and returned through the return conduit i6. i

There is provided a well I1 adapted to receive a thermostatic feeler bulb i8 provided with a capillary tube i9 in operative connection with the thermostatic switch functioning to throw the condensing and compressing unit on and oi and to thereby control the temperature of thev refrigerant in the outer container I, the liquid reiluorodichloromethane, CClzFz known as F-12,

sulfur dioxide, and other refrigerants well known in the prior art.

A compressing and condensing unit is provided, said unit comprising a motor 2 i, a compressor 22, a condenser 23, and a liquid receiver 25 all in operative connection. From the receiver Mthere extends a liquid refrigerant line 25 which passes through a heat exchanger conduit 26 through vwhich passes the suction line conduit 21 carrying the refrigerant return vapors and/or gases.

Connected with the heat exchanger conduit 26 v is a conduit 28 leading to the thermostatic expansion-valve `29 which has connected thereto the liquid refrigerant supply tubeil, the latter passing through the aperture 9 in-top plate 3. The tube 30 terminates at 3i adjacent the bottom wall 210i, the container I.

The suction conduit 2l is contiguous with the pick-up tube 32 which passes preferably centrally through the inner chamber ill, the end 33 of the tube 32 being preferably beveled as at 3d to pro vide an opening 35. i

Oil separates from the saturated refrigerant which is a mixture of a gas and liquid refrigerant, 'and oil accumulates at the bottom of the container i0 to form an oil layer O. As the oil layer O rises in the container Iii it is picked up by the .pick-up suction tube 32 and is returned through the suction conduit 21 to the compressor 22. If rthe pick-up tube 32 terminates with a flush end there is a tendency for slugs of oil to be drawn through the pick-up tube 22. said slugs damagins the discharge valves of the compressor 22. If. however. the end is beveled as at I4. the gaseous refrigerant entrains the oil and delivers inerements of entrained oil in such a manner as to have a more or less steady iiow of oil .through the pick-up tube 22 and the suction conduit 2l assegno through conduit 2l into chamber I. For successful operation the coil I4 should be always immersed in the liquid refrigerant. In the form of thereby inhibiting any damage to the discharge y inlet conduit Ii to a predetermined temperature as for example 38 l". then the methyl chloride refrigerant present in the receiver 24 is introduced into the conduit 2l at a pressure varying between 60 and 150 lbs. per square inch depending on the ltemperature surrounding 4the condenser unit, said temperatures, of course. varying during the winter and summer months.

Thereafter. the refrigerant passes through thel heat exchanger to the expansion valve 2l and through this valve to the container I filling said container to liquid refrigerant level L which is maintained at a level whereby the liquid refrigerant can spill over and into the apertures il in the expansion chamber and oil accumulator and separator Il. f

After the container I is filled with the refrigerant R, water to be cooled is introduced through the water inlet II and into the coil I4, said water being at atmospheric temperature which may vary, for example. between 'I0 and 90 F. The

liquid refrigerant R present in the container I absorbs heat from the water, cooling the same and causing the refrigerant to boil. when the liquid Arefrigerant boils it expands into a gaseous state and then there is present in container I a refrigerant in a gaseous state or there is present i a mixture of a gaseous and liquid refrigerant which spills over through apertures l2 into the expansion chamber I0, said gas and liquid refrigerant in the expansion'chamber I0 being known as saturated vapors carrying or having entrained therewith particles of oil which also pass through the apertures I3 into the expansion and oil accumulator and separator I0. Thereafter the pickup tube 32 picks up the refrigerant gas and *the oil particlesand these pass via the suction conduit 2l to and through the compressor 22 where they are recompressed and during said recompression the gaseous refrigerant retains a certain amount of oil, said refrigerant carrying ent-rained oil passing to the condenser 23 and then to the receiver 24. If too much liquid re- :frigerant is spilled through the apertures Il. cool raw refrigerant comprising saturated vapors will pass through the suction conduit 21 and will chill the thermostatic feeler bulb 36 which in turn reta-rds the liquidV ilow through the thermostatic the apparatus shown in Fig. 4 instead of employ- Ing a thermostatic expansion valve 24. there is employed the equivalent thereof. which is a high side oat valve unit 21 enclosed In a casing ll.

There Is located in the casing a float I! pivoted at4ltoan arm4i whichisconnected toa needle valve 42. The casing Il is connected to the receiver 24 by Va conduit 42. and to the container I by means of a conduit 44.

In order to start the cooling unit functioning the operation of the compressor or condensing unit is effected whereby the liquid refrigerant.

as for example, methyl chloride, is caused to pass from an auxiliary container not shown through the compressor 22 and condensing unit 2l into receiver 24. When the refrigerant level in receiver 24 rises to the lower end of the pickup tube or conduit 43, the refrigerant liquid passes over and into the casing Il. the liquid refrigerant level therein rising and causing the ball Il to open valve 42. The liquid refrigerant then passes into the container I. When the liquid refrigerant reaches apertures i2. then a small'amcunt of liquid refrigerant spills over through said aperto the receiver 24.

tures and into the expansion chamber I4 and saturated vapors are produced. -Then there is a dennitechange in temperature in the conduit 44, the latter becoming cooler. This change 4in temperature can be ascertained by the operator by the placing of the hand on the conduit 4l. When the change in the temperature of the conduit becomes effective. this is the signal that the system is properly charged with the liquid refrigerant. If the container i or the system is overcharged, which may be indicated by the excess cooling of conduit 4I, then the purge valve 45, of the float unit 31 is opened. Upon the opening of this valve. the liquid level in the container 3B is lowered and the iioat functions to close valve 42 thereby pre venting further liquid momentarily from passing into the container I. This purging is continued until the conduit 4B becomes warmer and then.'

.I4 and begins to boil the liquid refrigerant R in the container I and the liquid refrigerant and/or vapors pass through? apertures I3 into the expension chamber and oil accumulator and separator I0. These-gases return via conduit 48 to the compressor 22 and then are delivered to the condenser 22 and thereafter in liquefied form When the refrigerant gas which has been passed through the compressor 22and which has been Iliquefied in the condenser 23 enters the receiver 24 and is delivered to the casing 28. the liquid level in the casing rises and causes bail It toopen valve 42 to thereby deliver liquid refrigerant via conduit 44 and supply tube 2l to the container I. The thermostatic switch 2l operatively connected to the feeler bulb I8 by means of capillary tube Il functions to start and stop the motor on the condensing unit'as set forth in detail in connection with the operation of that form of apparatus set forth in Fig. 1.

While in Fig. 3. which is a plan view. the various conduits have :been shown apart which is the preferable arrangement, the conduits have been shown in a diametric line in Fig. 2 for the purpose of clear illustration.

What is claimed is:

l. In a cooler for liquids, the combination of an and accumulator chamber, a coil for liquid to be" cooled surrounding said accumulator and expansion chamber, a suction pick-up conduit disposed in said expansion vand accumulator chamber and extending to a point adjacent the bottom of said inner chamber, suction means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant carrying entrained oil from the pick-up conduit, means for maintaining a predetermined temperature in any liquid refrigerant fed into said outer container, and means located outside of said outer container for controlling the liquidrefrigerating means and arranged to maintain a substantially constant liquid refrigerating level in said outer'liquid refrigerant container when the cooler is in use.

2. In a cooler for liquids, the combination of an outer, closed container adapted to receive a refrigerant, means to feed liquid refrigerant thereto, an inner expansion, accumulator, and separator chamber secured to and inside of said container, said chamber being adapted to have a layer of oil on the bottom thereof, means for delivering refrigerant from said outer chamber to i said expansion and accumulator chamber, a coil for liquid to be cooled surrounding said accumulator and expansion chamber. a suction pick-up conduit disposed. in said expansion and accu- -mulator chamber and extending to ,a point adjacent the bottom of said inner chamber, suction means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from the pick-up conduit, means for maintaining a pre determined temperature in any liquid refrigerant fed into said outer container, and means located outside of said outer container for controlling the liquid refrigerating means and arranged to maintain a substantially constant liquid refrigerating levelin said outer liquid refrigerant container when the cooler is in use. v l

3. In a cooler for liquids, the combination of an outer closed container adapted to receive a refrigerant, means to feed liquid refrigerant thereto, an inner expansion, accumulator. and separator chamber secured to and inside of said container, said chamber being adapted to have a layer of oil on the bottom thereof, a series of apertures in ,said chamber adjacent the top thereof delivering refrigerant tov said' expansion and accumulator chamber, a coil for liquid to be cooled surrounding said accumulator and expansion chamber, a suction pick-up conduit disposed in said expansion and accumulator chamber and extending to a point adjacent the bottom of said inner chamber. suction means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from the pick-up conduit, means for maintaining a predetermined temperature in any liquid refrigerant fed into said outer container, and means located outside of said outery container for controlling the liquid refrigerating means and arranged to maintainl a substantially constant liquid refrigerating level in said outer liquid refrigerant container when the cooleris in use.

4; In a cooler for liquids, the combination of an outer closed container adapted to receive a refrigerant, means to kfeed liquid refrigerant thereto, an inner expansion, accumulator, and

separator chamber secured to and inside of said container, said chamber being adapted to have thereto, an inner expansion,

a layer of oil on the bottom thereof, a series of apertures in said chamber adjacent the top thereof for delivering refrigerant to said expansion A and accumulator chamber, a coil for liquid to be cooled surrounding said accumulator and expansion chamber, a suction pick-up conduit disposed in said expansion and accumulator chamber, the lower open end of the conduit extending to adjacent the bottom of said inner chamber, said open end being provided with means whereby at least a portion of the opening of the pickup conduit-is adapted to always receive and deliver through thepick-up conduit gaseous refrigerating vapors carrying entrained oil, suction means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from the pick-up conduit, means for maintaining a predetermined temperature in any liquid refrigerant present in said outer container, and means located outside of said outer container for controlling the liquid refrigerating means and arranged to maintain a substantially constant liquid refrigerating level in said outer liquid refrigerant container when the cooler is `in use.

5. In a cooler for liquids, the. combination of an outer closed'container adapted to receive a refrigerant, means to feed liquid refrigerant accumulator, and separator chamber secured to and inside of saidconl accumulator chamber, a coil for liquid to be cooledL surrounding said accumulator and expansion chamber, a suction pick-up conduit disposed in said expansion and accumulator chamber, the lower open end of the conduit extending to adjacent the bottom, of said inner chamber, said lower end of the pick-up conduit being bevelled, suction means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant containing entrained oil from the pick-up conduit, means for maintaining a predetermined temperaturein the liquid refrigerant present in said outer container, and means located outside of'said'outer container for controlling the liquid i refrigerating means. and arranged to maintain a substantially constant liquid refrigerating level in said outer liquid refrigerant container when the cooler is in use. 6. In-a, cooler for'liquids, the combination of an outer closed container adapted to receiv refrigerant, means to' feed liquid refrigerant thereto, an inner expansion, accumulator, and separator chamber secured to and inside of said container, said chamber being adapted to have a layer of oil on the bottom thereof. means for delivering refrigerant from said outer .chamber to said expansion and accumulator chamber, a coil for liquid to be cooled surrounding said accumulator and expansion chamber, a suction pick-.up conduit disposed in g 4said y expansion and accumulator chamber and extending t`o a point adjacent the bottom of said inner chamber, suction means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant from the pickup conduit, the latter and means for `feeding liquid refrigerant being in heat-exchange relaf tionship. means for maintaining a predetermined temperature in any liquid refrigerant present in said outer container, and means located outside of said outer container for controlling the liquid refrigerating means and arranged to maintain refrigerant, an inner expansion accumulator and separator chamber secured to and inside of said container, said chamber being' adapted to have a feeding liquid refrigerant to said outer refrigerant container. a thermostatic expansion valveconnected to said latter means to control refrigerant flow and thereby maintain a substantially constant liquid refrigerant level in the liquid refrigerant container, and means for maintaining a predetermined temperature inany liquid refrigerant present in the outer refrigerant container when the cooler is in use.

8. In a cooler for liquids, the combination of an outer closed container adapted to' receive a refrigerant, an inner expansion accumulator and separator chamber secured to and inside of said container. said `chamber being adapted-to have-a layer of oil on the bottom thereof, a series of apertures in said chamber adjacent the top thereof for delivering refrigerant to said expansion and accumulator chamber. a coil for liquid to be cooled surrounding said accumulator and expansion chamber. a suction pick-up conduit disposed in said expansion and accumulator chamber. the lower end of the conduit extending to adjacent the bottom of said inner chamber. said open end being provided with means whereby at least a portion of the opening of the pick-up conduit is adapted to always receive and deliver through the pick-up conduit gaseous refrigerating vapors carrying entrained oil, suction means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant containing entrained oil from the pick-up conduit, a thermosta-tic expansion valve feeler bulb in operative connection with said suction means, means for feeding liquid refrigerant to said outer refrigerant container, a thermostatic expansion valve connected to said latter means to control refrigerant flow and thereby maintain a substantially constant liquid refrigerant level in any liquid refrigerant present in the container, and means for maintaining a predetermined temperature in the liquid refrigerant present in the outer refrigerant container when the cooler is in use.

9. In a cooler for liquids. the combination of an outer closed container adapted to receive a refrigerant. an inner expansion accumulator and separator chamber securedto and inside of said container, said chamber being adapted to have a layer of oil on the'bottom thereof. a series of apertures in said chamber adjacent the top thereof for delivering refrigerant to said expansion and accumulator chamber. a coil surrounding said accumulator and expansion chamber, a suction pick-up conduit disposed in said expansion and accumulator chamber. the lower end of the conduit extending to adjacent the bottom of said inner chamber, said lower end of the pick-up conduit being bevelled, suction means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant containing entrained oil from the pick-up conduit. a thermostatic expansion valve feeler bulb in operative connection with said suction means. means for feeding liquid refrigerant to said outer refrigerant container. a thermostatic expansion valve connected to said latter means to control refrigerant 'iiow and thereby maintain 'a substantially constant liquid refrigerant level in any liquid present in the refrigerant container, and means for maintaining a predetermined temperature in the liquid refrigerant present in the outer refrigerant container where vthe cooler is in use.

10. In a cooler for liquids, the combination of an outer closed container provided with a side wall and a top wall. said container being adapted to receive a liquid refrigerant. an inner expansion accumulator and separator chamber disposed in said outer container and secured to the top wall thereof. said inner container being adapted to pansion and accumulator chamber. a suction conduit disposed in said expansion and accumulator chamber, the lower4 end thereof extending .to adjacent the'bottom of said inner chamber,

suction means for withdrawing gaseous refrigerant and any oil entrained therein from the pickup conduit, means for maintaining a predetermined temperature for any liquid refrigerant adapted to be present in said outer container. and means located outside of said container for controlling the liquid refrigerating means and arranged to maintain a substantially constant liquid refrigerating level in the outer liquid lrefrigerant container when the cooler is in use.

ll. In a cooler for liquids, the combination of an outer closed container adapted to receive a refrigerant. means to feed a liquid refrigerant thereto, an inner expansion accumulator and separator chamber disposed in and fixed to said container. said chamber being adapted to have on the bottom thereof a layer of oil which is separated from the refrigerant, means for delivering refrigerant from said outer container to said expansion and accumulator chamber. a coil for cooling liquid surrounding the said chamber.

a suction pick-up conduit disposed in said expansion and accumulator chamber, the lower end thereof extending to adjacent the bottom of said inner chamber, suction means forwithdrawing gaseous refrigerant and any oil entrained therein from the pick-up conduit. means for vmaintaining a predetermined temperature in any liquid refrigerant adapted to be present in said outer container. and naat-controlled means located outside of said outer container for maintaining a. substantially constant liquid refrigerating level in the outer refrigerant container when the cooler is in use.

12. In a cooler for liquids. the combination of an outer closed container adapted to receive a refrigerant. means 'to feed a liquid refrigerant thereto, an inner expansion \accumulator and separator chamber disposed in and fixed to said container, said chamber being adapted to have on lthe bottom thereof a layer .of oil which is separated from the refrigerant, a series of apertures in said chamberfadiacent the top thereof for delivering refrigerant from said outer container to said expension and accumulator chamber, a coil for cooling liquid surrounding the said chamber, a sucextending to adjacent the bottom of s'aid inner chamber, suction means for withdrawing gaseous a refrigerant containing a small amount of oil,`

means to feed liquid refrigerant therein, an inner expansion accumulator and separator chamber disposed in saidy container, said chamber having on the bottom thereof a layer of oil, means for delivering refrigerant carrying entrained oil from l said outer container to said expansion and accumulator chamber, a coil for cooling liquid surrounding said expansion and accumulator chamber, a suction pick-up conduit disposed in said c 'expansion vand accumulator chamber, the lower end4 thereof extending to ladjacent the bottom of said inner chamber and into the oil present therein, suction means for withdrawing Agaseous refrigerant containing entrained oil from the 'Y pick-up conduit, means for maintaining a predetermined temperature inanv liquid refrigerant y present in said outer container, and means located outside of said outer container for `controlling thev liquid refrigerating feeding means and arranged to maintain a substantially constant liquid refrigerant level in said outer liquid refrigerant container when the cooler is in use.

14. 'I'he cooler apparatus of claim 13 wherein the means for delivering the refrigerant from the outer container to the expansion and accumulator lchamber comprises a series of apertures adjacent the top of the inner container.

15. 'I'he cooler apparatus of claim 13 wherein` the means for delivering the refrigerant from the outer container to the expansion and accumulator chamber comprises a series of apertures adjacent the top of the inner container and the lower end of the suction conduit is bevelled.

HYLTON B. MILLET.

nEFEaENcEs CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTs Number Name Date 2,019,605

` Guyton Nov. 5,- i935 

